A Douglas County judge has scheduled a December hearing for arguments on motions in a wrongful death lawsuit the family of a Kansas University student has brought against Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

The attorney for Jay Wren, father of 19-year-old Jason Wren of Littleton, Colo., has filed a motion asking to seek punitive damages in the suit, alleging the fraternity has not changed how it operates since the March 2009 incident and citing an April 2010 violation in which alcohol was provided to pledges.

Wren was found dead March 8, 2009, at the chapter house, 1301 W. Campus Road, after a night of heavy drinking. He was living there as a pledge after he was no longer allowed to live at a KU residence hall due to past alcohol violations.

An attorney for the SAE fraternity and housing corporation has refuted the plaintiff’s claims. The defense attorney argues the plaintiffs cannot use events after Wren’s death to seek punitive damages.

According to defense filings in the case, the chapter expelled 22 actives after the April 2010 violation and the chapter had no alcohol violations prior to the incident that led to Wren’s death.

During a status conference Wednesday morning, District Judge Michael Malone scheduled one hour on Dec. 17 for arguments in the case. A trial is scheduled for April 25.